SUMMER WEEKENDING

Don't you love that it's Thursday, almost a brand spankin' new weekend, and I'm just not getting to last weekend? I'm feeling quite adamant about this because there were so many summer things involved. J.rue and I both had last Friday off, and it was a sweet sweet Friday. We made sure to make plans with our weekend regulars, and decided that it would be best to keep them by our side the whole weekend. Three day weekends are a lovely thing in and of itself, but add the right season in? Well, that makes it just downright dreamy.

^^ We started our Friday with the femur sized corn dogs. They were just as good as remembered, but this time we added honey. Honey + corndogs, really just takes it to the next level. If you're on Main Street in  Kaysville, make sure to stop. Don't worry you can't miss it, there's always a crowd.

^^ The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging outside, reading magazines, and watching the apple of our eyes run around the backyard. She attempted a nap outside, but the outside is just too distracting for her little brain right now.

^^ When the little miss did finally go down for a nap it was with promises to go and see the llamas once she awoke. Promises were kept and right when she woke up we were greeted with the question "see yamas?" So, we did. They were a little rude this time and wouldn't come right up to us like usual, but in their defense it was quite hot and they had some nice shade. That night we decided to keep the partay going and have a sleepover. The next morning was full or more relaxing, small errand running, and naps. I love naps.

^^ That evening we headed back to Ruesch Manor for some splash pad and hobo dinners. The boys readied the fires while we prepped the tin foil dinners and then they headed off to the splash pad with Brookie and we supervised the cooking of the food. It was difficult work, but someone had to volunteer. Melinda and I always have the best conversations when we find ourselves alone. She's one of the few people I can really tell anything too. Everyone should have a Melinda.

^^ Once the water baby got back the boys fished out our dinners and set up our table. Brookie is probably the best supervisor that we could ask for. She means business.

^^ And then we feasted. J.rue claimed to not be a lover of all things hobo dinner. Of course he was the first and only one to finish his whole plate. I'm thinking we've converted him, which is good, because this won't be our last hobo dinner date. At least if I have my way.

^^ The rest of the evening was spent roasting huge marshmallows. Melinda declared she would eat 100, then I decided on my weight in marshmallows. Just to make sure we reach our goals, we'll keep this a regular thing. J.rue managed to burn his tongue. He was sad when no one really felt bad for him.

^^ The puppies also decided to partake in the marshmallow goodness. Well, rather they more begged until the soft one (me) obliged them with melty mallow leftovers. Maggie handled to goo like a champ. Coop on the other hand, well, we're still fighting to get the fossilized gunk off of his mouth. Way to go Coop.

^^ I'm pretty sure I out ate everyone as far as marshmallows go, but I am trying to reach a goal here. And look at those puppies how could I not give them my left overs?

^^ Sunday morning we headed back over to Clinton to watch Brooklyn while her parents spoke. They both did a lovely job and Brookie was so good, especially since I came prepared with a stock of fruit snacks. That girl loves her fruit snacks. So much that she would sometime forget to chew and swallow. I'm just glad we didn't kill her while her parents we up there speaking to the congregation. That would have been awkward.

^^ We wrapped up the weekend with a trip over to my mother's house. One brother was ordained a priest and the other had a birthday and is getting ready to put in his mission papers. Obvs we're a really photogenic family. This is really the best we could do after about 11 tries. We're just an attractive bunch.

See? Wasn't that worth the wait? I know I'll think so next year. Looking back over summer blog posts is the best. Dontcha think?

AND AN A+ FOR CORNER BAKERY

I know I rave gobs and gobs about food. It's a little much, really. But usually I really do just rave about the food and leave the service out. Of course it's nice to have happy people and your order correct, but if I have an indifferent waitress it really doesn't get under my skin. My mother on the other hand. I just won't go there.

Anyway, this afternoon I was making my weekly run to Corner Bakery for lunch (along with a few extra orders), bought the food, perused instagram, and left. I drove back to the office, dispersed the lunches, and then hunkerd down in my office to partake of my most mouth watering chicken Caesar salad. I opened it up and no chicken. NO CHICKEN. I debated back and fourth driving the 8 minutes back to CB to get my chicken and finally the fetus won out, because the fetus wanted chicken!

So, I huffed out to the parking lot, put on my nicest voice and asked if they would have a small pile of chicken ready for me to come and pick up. They said they would actually bring it out to my car, which tickled me pink (have you ever tried to find parking over there at 12:30?) and I made my way over. When I got there I called and they were out in less than 40 seconds with a bag containing a full size chicken caesar salad and wait for it...cake! They also let me keep my chickenless salad to boot. I don't know what I'm going to do with 1.5 salads, but I'm sure I'll figure something out.

There you have it. Good service and good food. I just couldn't let this one go.

So an A+ for you CB. Now please build a location within 5 miles of my house. With love.

12

First things first, Melinda and I made this most delicious cheesy bread over the weekend. Well, Melinda did most of the work because it involved the making of real bread from scratch. I was mostly the designated cheese sprinkler. We give it an A+ and suggest you take it upon yourself to make some. Soon.

Secondly, I don't know why, but I'm thinking that 12 weeks is a good time to start recording a week-by-week update of the goings on with my fetus and body. I haven't taken any pictures yet because I just can't tell what's food and what's baby still, and I'm actually okay with that. I was going to do one of those surveys, but I want to force myself to write more in detail.

My pants are fitting fine and my shirts, well, they don't look as good, so I'm not minding the colder weather. Layers are still very much my friend. However, I would like to admit that I bought a pair of maternity pants. They're mint and I wear them bi-weekly. We've become good friends. From about  weeks 7 to about now I couldn't stand to have anything touching my stomach. Not a thing. I don't know why people resist the maternity clothes so much, especially bottoms. There is one exception to this opinion of mine and that is wearing flowy maternity tops before necessary. It just doesn't look normal when the front of your shirt hangs lower than the back, but to each their own. Really, I have no room to judge. You should see what I walk around the house in. It's actually more of what I don't walk around the house in. Just give me a second after you ring my doorbell.

A couple weeks ago I went in for my first pre-natal appointment. Can I just say that those are a little anti-climactic? We did get a surprise ultrasound from one of the oldest working ultra sound machines left on this whole planet, but an ultra sound non the less. Our little boy fetus was kicking around and really was the cutest thing I've laid eyes on thus far. The rest of the appointment was regurgitated information that I think I've known since the age of 19, but I'm sure most women don't obsessively read through the baby center website as a whole years before they even consider getting pregnant. I'm a little bit of a planner. Also, I turned backward on the scale and asked the nurse to kindly NOT tell me my weight, and thankyouverymuch. She obliged with a laugh. But, the staff, nurses, and doctor were all just as lovely as can be and I can't wait to go back.

Oh and for those of you who haven't been pregnant, ask someone who has how much more fun peeing in a cup is during those appointments. I really don't know how that gem of information was never mentioned to me.

I also signed up for a study up at the U for first time moms. I got a second ultrasounds and some pictures, I still can't get over seeing a little squirmy in there. I can't! Then, I consented for a sleep study (hello you get paid!) and that was some sort of interesting. I was hooked up to stickers and cords and machinery galore. The best part? The breathing tube that went up each nostril (that they ask you to tape onto your face). Ug. I was also asked how much weight I wanted to gain during my pregnancy. Another ug. I gave them my golden number and then I was weighed. Now, you're not lucky enough to know my starting weight, but I will tell you that I've only gained 1 lb. thus far and I can handle that. Honestly, that's probably the last you'll hear about my weight gain because I'm actually really self conscious about it. I am not at the weight I wanted to be at pre-pregnancy, but hey, you can't win em all. Don't worry, these posts won't be totally boring. I plan on discussing all other pregnancy related unpleasantries on here. No holds bar.

Other than that, I had the most horrible nauseated sleepy day thus far. I'm pretty sure I was asleep more than I was awake and when I was awake I was camped out in Ruesch Manor's finest bathroom. I'm hoping in my heart of hearts that my first trimester nausea and tiredness went out with a bang yesterday and I'm on the uphill. Today I'm feeling pretty dang great and hopefully (knocking on wood) it will continue.

p.s. pregnancy craving #218 Chef Boyardee Ravioli. I would eat a can every day if I'd let myself. I have a feeling we'll be breaking up in the next 6 months or so. Because really, how many processed beef raviolis can one body handle?

GREEN

Remember this picture? This is the night we found out. My eyes are puffy because I had a panic attack not too long before. I think I was a zombie for the next 48 hours, but hey, we're good now.

And nope, not a St. Patty's post. I actually forgot about that holiday, but luckily wore my green jacket to church. So, no pinches for me, except from j.rue, but his bum pinches come on a daily basis. It's fine. Anyway, the actual point of this post is about my cravings and other things actually. Because lets be honest, I can never keep it to just one topic. How boring.

Thus far in my pregnancy (the whole 11 weeks of it, I am such a wuss) I haven't had any of those pickle and ice cream cravings. Instead, if I hear something that sounds good I basically obsess over it until I can get my grubby hands on it. For example: soft pretzels (which I have yet to obtain), caramel apples, buffalo wild wings, crinkle chips with french onion dip, and now green fruit. Oh, the green fruit. I literally CANNOT get enough of it. On Sunday I at 6 kiwis. In probably 5 minutes. 6! I'm pretty sure that we can't afford for me to eat 6 kiwis a day, unless I sell my car or something. Does anyone want to buy an 11 year old RAV4? Her bumper's only been ripped off twice...

Want to see the picture that spurred this green fruit lovin'? It's from this website, so I hope this isn't considered stealing? Dang blogs! If they aren't causing me to covet another woman's closet, it's making me envy her green fruit!

How divine does all of that look!? I'm for sure making my way to TJ's during lunch to pick up as much green fruit as possible. Yes, it needs to be green. Apples make me want to gag and you don't even want to know what bananas have been doing to me lately. Also, don't even get me started on eggs (not a fruit, I know).

Lastly, the gender. I think boy. My cousin thinks boy. My SIL refers to b.rue as a boy. My mom has wished boys on me every time I was naughty since age 6. Random people say boy. So I would like to just know that I'm having a boy already! Do you know how many cute boy nursery things are on sale right now? I have this perfect vision, but can do absolutely nothing about it. And now it's only appropriate to add: #firstworldproblems 

Feel bad for me. Please.

People have been asking me if I have a preference. I don't think it's wrong to have one. Even those saintly gals that just claims to want a healthy baby (duh, who doesn't) have at least a tiny 1% of a preference for some reason or another. It's okay! Really. When I answered people I said I wanted a girl, even though I know there is a boy fetus growing inside me. Want to know my reasoning? 

I'll actually tell you anyway. I've always wanted a girl first just to know that I would have one. I would take 4 boys after that. Really, I would. I think boys are going to be so fun. But since my mother has been cursing me with boys boys boys every time I would hit, trip, or sit on one of my brothers, I'm thinking that she rid me of producing any little ladies (just kidding mom, kind of.) But really, that's the only reason why. And if I never end up getting my girl, did you know that I have a niece that shares my birthday? And that her mom basically gives me free reign on what I buy her? So really, my life isn't that sad. Plus, a girl would kind of mess up my nursery plans considering everything adorable that I come up with pertains to a boy. See? I just know.

Also, is it bad that I can't tell if I'm actually starting to grow a bump or if it's just the food baby that I've tried to rid myself of for the past 3 years? #nonflatstomachedpregnantladyproblems

J.RUE SAYS I OVERUSE THE WORD "GLORIOUS"

...and to that I say, life is just glorious J.rue. Glorious enough that it should be talked about regularly.

This morning, a co-worked asked me what I did this weekend. I had to take a second to think about it. And you know what I realized? I had a gloriously relaxing weekend. It consisted of naps, naps, and naps, sprinkled in with some couch moving, some tv setting up, and good food. Yesterday I actually slept from 1:15 to 4:45 and then went back to bed at 10. How's that for the best Sunday of my life? The mega nap was followed by the grammy's over at  James & Melinda's house (we see them A LOT, and we're glad they still like us). There was lots and lots of grilled cheese, salad, and baked fries. That, mixed with some JT & Mumford and Sons, us ladies were happy.

I guess I'm going in backwards order, so Saturday Jeremy got up nice and early for a basketball game and I lazily slept in until about 8:30. Coop started his quiet "it's saturday wake-up take me on a walk" growl. I kindly obliged and what do I get for my kindness? A slip on the ice. My second for this winter. How embarrassing. That afternoon Melinda and I drove to Ogden to go to probably one of my most favorite restaurants ever. ever. ever. ever. As far as that kind of food goes, ya know.

Oh, you want to know what it's called? Lee's Mongolian BBQ.

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It's a little bit of a hole, and that's what makes it even better. I also love places where you can pick exactly what goes into your food. Because, you know, I like to be in charge.

Yes, that's gobs of beef with all the fixins' a girl could ever dream of. Sorry the picture's blurry. There was a man/woman (you know you play that game) that was right in from of me and I didn't want s/he to think I was taking pictures of him/her. You know, politeness and such.

Anywho, Melinda and I rounded out the evening with watching two movies in a row, Bring It On and Baby Mamma, with a spur of the moment trip to Krispy Kreme. We almost made it a month. I'll close with a stolen picture, because we just don't have enough family pictures of the 5 of us. Which we find sad. Thanks, Melinda!

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SOUP-LA

We had some soup for dinner last night and the ONLY reason that I'm even taking the time to post this is because 1) It's delicious and I basically licked my bowl clean and 2) I NEVER cook dinner and when I say NEVER I really do mean it. I don't even remember the last time dinner was made when company was not expected. Sad I know. One day I have dreams of menu plans and healthy meals and well, just actually having time for that. One day I say. Now on to the soup!

I found this lovely recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, Dinner: A Love Story. I don't know if you've noticed, but it's been a little snowy and cold over in these parts and I deem it perfect soup weather. Also, it's a Greek chicken soup. Do you know how much I love Greek food? Well, yesterday I found out that Greek Souvlaki does online ordering and did a tiny happy dance whilst at my desk. I love it that much. And now, the recipe (taken right from Dinner: A Love Story -- all credit given to her, except for my tweaks throughout):

Avgolemono

4 cups chicken broth -- I did 6 because I wanted leftovers

1/4 cup uncooked orzo --  I added about 1 cup, I should have doubled it. I love me some orzo!
salt and pepper3 eggs -- 4 eggs, maybe even 5 if you add more broth
3 tablespoons lemon juice                                                                                                                                                                              shredded rotisserie chicken (optional) -- DO NOT BY ANY MEANS LEAVE THIS OUT.                                                                             We also added a sprinkling of feta cheese on top because it's not Greek food without a hearty serving of feta.

In a large saucepan, bring the broth to a boil.

Add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente, about 7 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper and reduce heat to low; let simmer.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and lemon juice until smooth. Ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth into the egg-and-lemon mixture, whisking to combine.

Add the mixture back to the simmering saucepan. Stir just until the soup becomes opaque and thickens as the eggs cook, 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper (to taste) and chicken if you have it, and serve.

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So there you have it. It really takes about 10 minutos to get on the table. J.rue's only complaint is that it was a little too "soupy".  So if your dinner mate likes thicker soup either add more orzo or make sure to add a stack of bread (or pitas) to the table to they can soak up all of that soupy goodness. Even though it was deemed "soupy" it was still initiated into the official Ruesch Dinner Rotation, which now includes 2 items. 

Again, one day I say!

It's kind of fantastic...

...when you're night starts like this:

and ends with High School Musical and almost peeing your pants a couple of times.

It's also a fantastic thing when you have Einsteins for breakfast and you're pretty sure you're going to have it again for lunch. A bagel dog may become involved, don't judge me!

Staycation '12 and not to brag, but I'm a bracket filling out champion

I would write about it, but I figured if a picture is worth 1,000 words, I'm covered. Oh and if you don't like pictures, please scroll to the bottom to hear about how awesome I am. Okay go.

Yes, all 3 of those chins are mine.

{taken from melinda's blog -- cute closed-eyed husbands}

Obviously we ate a lot.

p.s. i picked 2 HUGE upsets over the weekend. Norfolk and Lehigh. You may all now get in an orderly line and shake my hand one at at time.

oh, and happy first day of spring. but I feel that after the news I just told you, this is irrelevant.

follow me on twitter: @chelseablythe